Matthew 12:1-8

The Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath

12¹ At that time Jesus went through the fields on the Sabbath day; and his disciples, being in need of food, were taking the heads of grain. ² But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, See, your disciples do that which it is not right to do on the Sabbath. ³ But he said to them, Have you no knowledge of what David did when he had need of food, and those who were with him? ⁴ How he went into the house of God and took for food the holy bread which it was not right for him or for those who were with him to take, but only for the priests? ⁵ Or is it not said in the law, how the Sabbath is broken by the priests in the Temple and they do no wrong? ⁶ But I say to you that a greater thing than the Temple is here. ⁷ But if these words had been in your minds, My desire is for mercy and not for offerings, you would not have been judging those who have done no wrong. ⁸ For the Son of man is lord of the Sabbath.